The GFW School Board met for their regular meeting on Monday, July 24, 2023. Below is a summary of the meeting.
Watch the meeting on YouTube:
Superintendent Report
Dr. Horton shared that the leadership team is hard at work preparing for the new school year and filling open positions in the district. Some of the new teachers joining GFW will be new to the community coming from Honduras and the Philippines. The district is also going through the process to acquire land for the new school building project. More information will be coming as the process gets further along.
School Principal Reports
Principal Thompson shared updates to the Reading Well in 3rd grade plan and changes coming with the READ Act. Back to school letters will be going out to families in early August and training is planned for the new curriculum. There are 40 students attending summer school and it’s been great having them in the building. TCA Community Arts is also putting on a production of Beauty and the Beast.
Principal Jacobson shared her first update as principal of GFW Middle School and High School. She shared her excitement to be back in the building with students and staff. She thanked the community for welcoming her into the building and supporting her transition into her new role.
School Board Student Representative
The student representative to the board shared that she and other students are trying not to think about going back to school quite yet. Students are anticipating a good transition and are getting excited to come back to school.
Board Reports
Chair Merkel shared updates on the new committee structure and the work being completed. Vice Chair Schmidt shared updates from the policy committee. Dr. Horton shared updates on the community engagement committee and the work to identify and work towards a positive school climate as defined by the committee.
Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda.
Resolutions and Action Items
The board approved a resolution to authorize a revoke and replace election for November 2023 to impact the current operating levy and pass savings onto taxpayers as the district transitions to a single site facility.
The board approved annual fundraisers for the 2023-24 school year.
The board approved an updated contract with Dashir.
The board approved exempt and non-exempt employee guidelines.
The board approved the fee and rate schedule for the 2023-24 school year.
The board approved the Long Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) plan.
The board approved the PreK-12 purchase agreement.
The board approved the fuel bid.
The board approved the milk and juice bid.
The board approved funds for the leadership team's time and training costs to become structured literacy and/or dyslexia trainers to support Minnesota Read to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act compliance. Trainings will focus on LETRS, CERI, and related trainings.
The board approved a number of updated policies.
The board also approved two processes to fill vacant seats on the board as well as hold elections in November. In addition to seeking candidates for the November election from Gibbon and Fairfax, the board will request applications for current seats to be filled until the election. The board would interview all candidates and appoint interim board members to fill the seats.
Applications will be accepted for the vacant seats from August 1-15, which is the same period where filing can be completed to be a candidate for the November special election.
The board voted to accept donations.
The board voted to adjourn the meeting.